Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1894 — STEWARD OF AN OCEAN LINER. [ARTICLE]

STEWARD OF AN OCEAN LINER.

A Position 'of Responsibility- With an Army of Subordinates. It may surprise some old globe trotters to know that the big ocean greyhoundsrunning between New York and the European ports carry on an average Of 19,000 pieces of sterling silverware for their table service, and that this large amount of plate is handled during the voyage by from 200 to ‘ 240 waiters or .“stewards,” as they are called on shipboard. The chief steward is responsible for every piece. He must be-a man of quick powers of observation, a student of human nature and be up to Sil the little devices of a small army of subordinates usually keener.and quicker witted than those usually found ashore in the same calling. It is a busy day for the steward twenty-four hours before the time set for departure. He has purchased or contracted for all the supplies and an assistant sees that the contracts are fulfilled. But his personal attention must be given to the silverware. He keeps a regular debit and credit account and can tell to a toothpick just What he will start away with. On the voyage passengers are apt to lose spoons or forks or other ware by accident, and occasionally a gay blade may think it amusement to toss a sugar bowl or half a dozen knives through a port hole. It is needless to say that he furnishes a quid pro quo before he goes ashore. When the other side is reached the chief steward spends a day in balancing accounts. He started with so much and so much should be on hand. If-there isadifference-he seeks to find it, and if he can’t find it he “makes good” himself. The responsibility of such a position naturally commands a high salary, and every chief steward onevery ocean steamship is, without exception, a man of unimpeachable integrity. The extraordinary record is that in thirty years there have been but two accusations of a betrayal of a trust.